Germany's Quest to Not Embarrass Itself, the WC26+NL24-25 Thread

Germany at World Cup 2026 — Tactics, Squad Depth & Every Player Rated

Introduction — How We Called It
A few weeks ago we went through every player in contention for Germany's World Cup squad — tracking FotMob ratings across both Bundesliga and national team games, mapping positional coverage, debating every bubble call. We predicted 26 players. Nagelsmann picked 26. We got 23 out of 26 correct — an 88.5% hit rate.

The three we missed tell the story of the announcement:

Manuel Neuer's comeback — nobody predicted this. At 40, coming out of international retirement to reclaim the number one shirt from Oliver Baumann who had kept goal through all six qualifying games. The most emotional selection of the entire tournament.

Nadiem Amiri — we had him firmly out throughout our analysis. A career-best season at Mainz with a FotMob of 7.61 — the highest of any midfielder in the pool — changed everything. We simply didn't track his revival closely enough.

Maximilian Beier — dropped from the March squad, we wrote him off. But 10 goals and 10 assists across all competitions at Dortmund told a different story by the end of the season.

Everything else? We nailed it. The entire defensive unit. The entire midfield five. Eight of nine attacking picks. Not bad.

Now let's get into what matters — how Nagelsmann actually uses this squad.

Section 1 — The Tactical Playbook
The Base Shape — 4-2-3-1
Germany's settled formation throughout qualifying has been a 4-2-3-1. It suits the personnel perfectly. Two holding midfielders protect a back four that likes to push its fullbacks high. Three attacking midfielders — fluid, interchangeable, constantly swapping — operate behind a single striker. The system rewards technical quality, pressing intensity and positional intelligence, and Germany have all three in abundance.

The obvious core picks themselves. You have a goalkeeper of world-class pedigree. A captain at right back who can also play central midfield when needed. Two centre-backs — one physical and commanding, one a left-footed ball-player who builds from the back. An attacking left back who assists for fun. A double pivot of one elite young defensive midfielder and one box-to-box engine. Three players in the AM line who are among the best in Europe at their roles. And a striker who has just finished as one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga.

The one area of genuine debate is the right side of the AM line. Wirtz is the undisputed #10 but he drifts everywhere. Lennart Karl — the 18-year-old breakthrough star — plays primarily on the right wing, using his pace, directness and creativity to stretch defences. He is not a central #10 in the Nagelsmann system. He operates wide right, cuts inside, arrives late. Think of him as the wide threat rather than the playmaker. He may well feature in the starting XI for certain games depending on the opponent — his FotMob NT of 7.5 on his Germany debut speaks for itself.

The wider AM positions — left and right — can be covered by Musiala, Wirtz, Karl, Leweling, Sané and Beier across the course of a tournament. Nagelsmann will rotate depending on the opponent.

Tactical Option 1 — 4-2-3-1 (Control and build)
The base shape. The two-pivot midfield provides defensive cover allowing the fullbacks to push forward. The AM trio creates overloads in the final third. The striker acts as a reference point, drops short, links play. This is Germany at their most balanced — hard to play through, dangerous in transition, technically superior to most opponents.

When Nagelsmann uses this: Every game where Germany expect to control possession. The group stage against Curacao and Ecuador. Any game where a draw is enough.

Impact subs in this shape: Goretzka or Stiller to replace a pivot if legs are going. Leweling for width and energy down the right if the starting winger has gone quiet. Amiri into the AM line to add a goal threat from deep. Woltemade up top if Germany need to hold the ball and win aerial duels in the final stages.

Tactical Option 2 — 4-1-4-1 (Pressing and chasing, ~65-70 minutes)
One of the pivots comes off — the less mobile option at that point in the game. A single holding midfielder sits deep. Four players across the midfield — two wide, two central — press higher, arrive later and create numerical overloads in the final third. The striker stays high to occupy the last defender.

When Nagelsmann uses this: Germany are level or one goal behind with 20-25 minutes left. The team needs more creativity and late arrivals into the box without fully abandoning defensive shape.

Impact subs that make this work: Amiri is the key piece here. He bridges the gap between the single pivot and the front four — arriving from deep, scoring from range, connecting every unit of the team. Goretzka's driving late runs also become a weapon in this shape. Karl on the right wing gives pace in behind if the back four is starting to sit deep. The single pivot — most likely Pavlovic — covers more ground than almost any midfielder in the tournament.

Tactical Option 3 — 3-1-4-2 (Last 10 minutes — must score)
The most aggressive shift. A fullback comes off, a third centre-back comes on. The captain moves from right back into the midfield four — he has done this all season at club level and will self-organise the transition without being told twice. A second striker enters. Germany now have two forwards in the box, four players across the midfield providing width and creativity, and a back three holding shape.

When Nagelsmann uses this: Germany are losing by one goal with ten minutes left. Or in a knockout game at 0-0 needing to force something before extra time.

The partnership up top: A direct striker who drops deep and links play alongside a physical target man who wins headers, holds the ball and brings others into the game. Two completely different profiles. Defenders hate facing both at once. Set pieces in this shape become a genuine weapon — the target man arriving late into the box from a corner is a real threat.

Midfield in this shape: The wide midfielders provide the width that the departed fullback used to provide. Leweling is particularly useful here — his pace stretches the back line and creates the space the two strikers need inside. Karl on the right gives the same threat. The two central midfielders — one sitting, one attacking — keep the balance.

Extra time consideration: If the 3-1-4-2 doesn't produce a goal and the game goes to extra time, the captain drops back into the back line naturally, reverting to a four-man defence. Germany can also bring on a fresh fullback to cover the legs of whoever has been bombing up and down for 90 minutes. The squad depth makes this rotation seamless.

Tactical Option 4 — 5-4-1 (Protecting a lead, last 20 minutes)
A centre-back comes on, an attacking midfielder comes off. The fullbacks drop into wing-back positions, sitting much deeper. Four midfielders form a compact block across the width of the pitch. One striker stays up alone as a counter-threat outlet.

When Nagelsmann uses this: Germany are winning by one or two goals with 20 minutes left against a team throwing everything forward. Also useful when facing a side with dangerous wide players — the five-man defensive line takes away the space behind.

The key to this shape: The midfield four. Combined they covered hundreds of tackles in the Bundesliga this season. It is genuinely impenetrable for 20 minutes. The striker staying high gives Germany an outlet on the counter — one ball over the top and a fresh, fast attacker running through on goal is a real threat even in this defensive shape.

Stiller and Goretzka are particularly important in this shape. Stiller's Bundesliga FotMob of 7.29 — highest of any midfielder — reflects his ability to dominate possession and press. Goretzka's physicality clears balls, wins duels and absorbs pressure. Together with Pavlovic they form one of the most formidable defensive midfield combinations at the tournament.

Section 2 — Every Player, Every Role
Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer — Bayern Munich, age 40 The story of the announcement. Neuer came out of international retirement to reclaim the number one shirt for what is almost certainly the final chapter of his extraordinary career. His sweeper-keeper ability — coming off his line, reading through balls, organising the high defensive line — is genuinely unique and suits Nagelsmann's system perfectly. At 40, questions about shot-stopping sharpness are legitimate. But in a tournament knockout game at 0-0 in the 89th minute, having Neuer between the posts rather than anyone else is worth something that numbers can't fully capture. This will be one of the most watched storylines of the entire World Cup.

Oliver Baumann — Hoffenheim, age 35 The man who was Germany's first choice through all six qualifying games and has a strong case to still be starting. FotMob 7.14 across 34 Bundesliga appearances, seven clean sheets, fifth-best defensive record in Germany. His distribution — 617 successful passes, 37% accurate long ball rate — is solid. He is a world-class backup and if Neuer struggles for any reason, Baumann is ready to step straight in without any drop in quality. Deserves enormous respect for how he handled the Neuer announcement.

Alexander Nübel — VfB Stuttgart, age 29 Strong Stuttgart season, athletic and commanding, at the peak of his powers at 29. The clear #3 GK and a future Germany starter once Neuer and Baumann step away. FotMob 7.2 across the season. At this World Cup his role is to stay ready and push Baumann hard in training.

Jonas Urbig — Bayern Munich, age 22 An interesting footnote to the squad. Urbig is not in the official 26 but has joined the Germany camp as a training goalkeeper only — helping Neuer, Baumann and Nübel prepare and giving Nagelsmann an additional body in sessions. He played Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League for Bayern this season, FotMob 7.3, and is widely considered Neuer's long-term successor at club level. His time will come — but for now he is the development option working alongside three senior internationals in camp. A smart piece of squad management from Nagelsmann.

Defenders
Joshua Kimmich — Bayern Munich, age 31 — Captain The heartbeat of the squad. FotMob 7.6 Bundesliga, 7.8 national team — highest combined rating of any outfield player in the pool. Bundesliga champion, Champions League semi-finalist. Plays right back for Germany but spent much of his club season in the double pivot — that positional intelligence means he can drop into central midfield in the 3-1-4-2 shape without missing a beat. Dead ball specialist. Leader. Will almost certainly be on the penalty list. Germany go as far as Kimmich takes them.

Jonathan Tah — Bayern Munich, age 30 The best season of his career. FotMob 7.3 league, 7.5 national team — highest NT rating of any centre-back. Commanding in the air, composed on the ball, scored against Switzerland. The anchor of the back four and Nagelsmann's first-choice CB. If he stays fit Germany's defensive foundation is solid.

Nico Schlotterbeck — Borussia Dortmund, age 26 His club FotMob of 7.55 was actually the highest of any CB in the pool — excellent for Dortmund all season. Two errors against Switzerland in March hurt his reputation but those were an international blip rather than a form collapse. His left-footed build-up ability is essential to how Germany play out from the back. No other CB in the squad does what he does with the ball at his feet.

Antonio Rüdiger — Real Madrid, age 33 Returning from injury, limited minutes back at Real Madrid in April and May. FotMob 7.05 across those appearances. His leadership and big-game mentality are irreplaceable in a tournament environment. The dressing room presence alone is worth the squad slot — players around him raise their levels. If fully fit he is a genuine starter. If managing minutes he is the best backup CB at the tournament.

Waldemar Anton — Borussia Dortmund, age 28 The highest NT FotMob of any centre-back at 7.3. Physical, consistent, reliable — wins headers, covers well, never gives the ball away cheaply. The natural partner for Tah and probably the first CB off the bench if either of the starters gets injured. Absolutely solid pick.

Malick Thiaw — Newcastle United, age 23 Let's be honest — Thiaw is backup of backups at centre-back. Fourth or fifth choice CB behind Tah, Schlotterbeck, Rüdiger and Anton. At a tournament with 8 games, injuries happen and when they do you need quality in reserve. Thiaw's FotMob of 7.0 in the Premier League during Newcastle's Champions League campaign shows he can perform at the top level. More importantly, he covers right back and defensive midfield as secondary positions — so his squad slot actually insures three positions. The day Thiaw comes on might be the most important day of the tournament. Don't underestimate what quiet depth does in a seven or eight game run.

David Raum — RB Leipzig, age 27 Leipzig captain. FotMob 7.4 club, 7.6 national team. Assists machine, overlapping runs, dangerous deliveries from the left. Nagelsmann described him as "like chewing gum — he connects everyone." The undisputed first-choice left back and a certain starter in almost every game.

Nathaniel Brown — Eintracht Frankfurt, age 22 The breakout star of German football this season. FotMob 7.18, 4 goals and 4 assists at Frankfurt, started the Ghana friendly and leapfrogged Mittelstädt in the pecking order entirely. At 22 he is just getting started — enormous potential. His ability to cover left back, right back and even central midfield makes him one of the most valuable squad members despite probably being Raum's backup. If Raum gets injured, Brown steps straight in without any drop in quality. If Kimmich needs a rest, Brown can invert to the right. Smart, versatile, hungry.

Midfielders
Aleksandar Pavlovic — Bayern Munich, age 21 The squad's standout midfielder on current form. FotMob 7.1 club, 7.5 national team — highest NT rating of any midfielder. Bundesliga title, Champions League semi-final. At 21, this is potentially the best young defensive midfielder at the entire tournament. The engine around whom Nagelsmann builds everything. When Pavlovic plays well, Germany play well. When he plays badly — which is rare — Germany can still function. That's how important he is.

Leon Goretzka — Bayern Munich, age 31 Leaving Bayern this summer and this World Cup will be his last in Germany colours. FotMob 7.2 across the season. Physical, driving, arrives late into the box, scores from range. The perfect complement to Pavlovic's composure — Goretzka provides the energy and athleticism. Motivated above all other players to end his Germany career with a winner's medal. That kind of motivation matters in knockout football.

Felix Nmecha — Borussia Dortmund, age 24 Dynamic and energetic. Missed the March camp through injury but is healthy and ready. FotMob 6.9. Nagelsmann has consistently backed him throughout the cycle. Partners Pavlovic naturally in the first XI double pivot — the two complement each other well, Nmecha pressing aggressively while Pavlovic covers the space. First choice to come off when Germany switch to the 4-1-4-1.

Pascal Gross — Borussia Dortmund, age 33 The surprise March call-up and the most experienced squad player in the midfield group. FotMob 7.0. Technically excellent, versatile, can play CM and even right back as cover for Kimmich. Nagelsmann trusts him — when a 33-year-old gets a late call-up to a World Cup squad it means the coach genuinely values his presence beyond the matchday 11. The glue player. The dressing room professional. Three tournament games and a couple of calm 20-minute cameos later and Gross might quietly be one of Germany's best performers.

Angelo Stiller — VfB Stuttgart, age 25 The highest club FotMob of any midfielder in the pool at 7.29. Started both the Switzerland and Ghana games in March, posting national team ratings of 7.2 and 7.1. 45 chances created this season. Brings a slightly different profile to Pavlovic — more creative from deep, better range of passing — and gives Nagelsmann an alternative DM option in the 4-2-3-1 or as the single pivot in the 4-1-4-1. A proper competitor for the starting double pivot spot.

Nadiem Amiri — Mainz, age 29 We had him out. We were wrong. FotMob 7.61 — the highest of any midfielder in the entire Germany squad pool. 12 goals and 2 assists in the Bundesliga, 8 penalties scored, 179 tackles won. Despite FotMob listing him as a central midfielder, Amiri is essentially a Granit Xhaka type — deep creator, first receiver, turns and launches attacks — but with all the attacking instincts of his AM days fully retained. He can cover CM, DM and #10. In the 4-1-4-1 chasing shape he is the key connector between Pavlovic and the front four. In the 5-4-1 defensive block he is another body in the midfield wall. And from distance, he scores. The one concern is 6 yellow cards this season — discipline in a knockout tournament matters enormously, and one suspension at the wrong moment could be costly. But the selection is absolutely justified.

Attackers
Florian Wirtz — Liverpool FC, age 22 The talisman. FotMob NT 8.1 — highest of anyone in the entire squad. His Liverpool season was decent rather than dazzling — 7 goals and 10 assists — but he saves his very best for Germany. Two goals and two assists against Switzerland alone, involved in all four goals. Ranked as the world's number one attacking midfielder. The undisputed #10 of this team. If Germany win this tournament, Wirtz will be the reason.

Jamal Musiala — Bayern Munich, age 23 Returning from a broken leg and dislocated ankle suffered at the Club World Cup in summer 2025. Back in training and playing — five goal involvements in his last four appearances including a backheel assist against Real Madrid in the Champions League. Kompany confirmed he is "physically very close to his best." When Musiala is in full flow he is one of the two or three best players on the planet. His partnership with Wirtz for Germany — two 22/23-year-olds who have played together since youth level — is one of the most exciting attacking combinations at the tournament.

Lennart Karl — Bayern Munich, age 18 Nine goals and six assists in his debut Bundesliga season. Four Champions League goals. Debuted for Germany against Switzerland in March and posted a FotMob NT of 7.5 — excellent. Karl plays primarily on the right wing — pace, directness, cutting inside onto his left foot, arriving late into the box. He is not a central playmaker in the Nagelsmann system. He is the wide attacking threat. At 18 he is the youngest player in the squad and the one most likely to do something unexpected and memorable. Keep an eye on him in the group stage.

Deniz Undav — VfB Stuttgart, age 29 The form player of the German domestic season. FotMob 7.42 — the highest of any attacker in the pool. 18 goals and 5 assists — top German scorer in the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann said it plainly: "you can't leave a striker like him at home." The first-choice striker in the base shape. Drops deep, links play, scores from tight angles, presses relentlessly. Stuttgart's system is similar enough to Nagelsmann's that Undav fits without any adjustment period.

Kai Havertz — Arsenal, age 27 Led Arsenal to their first Premier League title in 22 years and is arriving at this World Cup in the form of his life. FotMob 6.7 across the full season but contributing: 2 goals and 2 assists in his last five Arsenal appearances, scored the 97th-minute winner against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, scored for Germany against Ghana in March. His best position is the central AM role — the #10 behind a striker — but he can play as a false 9, allowing Undav to drop deep. In the 3-1-4-2 he can operate in the central midfield four. The most versatile attacker in the squad.

Nick Woltemade — Newcastle United, age 23 Difficult first Premier League season — FotMob 6.63, the lowest of the attacking picks. But Nagelsmann has always planned to use him as a Plan B impact sub rather than a starter. He provides something nobody else in the squad can: a genuine target man at 6'4", winning headers, holding the ball up, bringing others into the game. In the 3-1-4-2 emergency shape alongside Undav he is every defender's nightmare — movement and aerial threat in the same partnership. He may only play 90 minutes across the whole tournament, but those 90 minutes could be spread across three games at the exact moments they are most needed.

Leroy Sané — Galatasaray, age 30 Only an "okay" season in Turkey — FotMob 6.8, not the Sané of two or three years ago. The argument for El Mala over Sané has genuine merit — more on that below. But Nagelsmann went experience over youth and there is a logic to it: Sané covers the wide right role left vacant by the injured Gnabry with tournament-proven quality, Kimmich described him as "physically stronger than anyone," and World Cup knockout games have a way of producing moments that only experienced players create. He stays as wide right cover and a knowing impact sub in the 4-1-4-1 shape.

Jamie Leweling — VfB Stuttgart, age 24 The underrated speed merchant of this squad. FotMob 7.0, consistent all season, chosen over both Adeyemi and Beier in the March squad. Leweling plays both flanks and brings something the first XI actually lacks: raw pace in behind. In a squad full of technical players who prefer to come short and combine, Leweling's willingness to run the channel nobody else runs is genuinely useful. In the 3-1-4-2 shape his pace stretches the back line and creates space for the two strikers. Don't be surprised if he comes off the bench in the group stage and contributes directly to a goal with a run that a tired opposition full-back simply cannot stay with.

Maximilian Beier — Borussia Dortmund, age 23 We had him firmly out after the March omission. Ten goals and ten assists across all competitions told us we were wrong. Beier covers striker, second striker, right wing and left wing — four positions. In a tournament that runs to 8 games, a versatile attacker who can play four roles and has 20 goal involvements in a season is exactly what you want on your bench. Not a starter. A smart, flexible impact option — particularly in the 4-1-4-1 or 3-1-4-2 when Nagelsmann needs an energetic forward capable of playing multiple positions.

A Note on Two Selection Debates
El Mala over Sané — a legitimate argument
Said El Mala at 19 was outstanding at U21 level and covers the same wide role as Sané with far more explosiveness and a much higher ceiling. His pace in behind would be a genuine weapon in late-game emergency shapes. The case against: zero senior Germany caps. World Cup knockout pressure is unlike anything at U21 level. Nagelsmann went experience. You can understand it — but El Mala's time is coming. Probably 2030.

Schade over Beier — this one doesn't hold up
Kevin Schade was in the March squad for a closer look and his output dropped. FotMob 6.6, primarily a right winger only, one-dimensional. Beier covers four positions and has 20 goal involvements. Beier is the correct call. Not close.

Rounding Off
This is one of the most tactically flexible Germany squads in recent memory. Four formation options that flow naturally into one another. A #10 role covered by seven different players. Multi-position defenders who insure the back four without taking up extra squad slots. A bench that can change the game in three completely different ways depending on whether Germany need to chase, protect or kill a game off.

The group — Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador — is manageable. The real test starts in the knockout rounds. Eight games to be world champions. With Wirtz at his best, Musiala returning to full fitness, Undav in the form of his life and Pavlovic running the midfield, Germany have every reason to believe this is their year.

Auf geht's, Die Mannschaft

 

Die DFB-Rückennummer bei der WM 2026 im Überblick:

1 Manuel Neuer

2 Antonio Rüdiger

3 Waldemar Anton

4 Jonathan Tah

5 Aleksandar Pavlovic

6 Joshua Kimmich

7 Kai Havertz

8 Leon Goretzka

9 Jamie Leweling

10 Jamal Musiala

11 Nick Woltemade

12 Oliver Baumann

13 Pascal Groß

14 Maximilian Beier

15 Nico Schlotterbeck

16 Angelo Stiller

17 Florian Wirtz

18 Nathaniel Brown

19 Leroy Sané

20 Nadiem Amiri

21 Alexander Nübel

22 David Raum

23 Felix Nmecha

24 Malick Thiaw

25 Lennart Karl

26 Deniz Undav

 

So Philipp Lahm dropped his Wunschelf in Sport Bild this week and the big headline was his demand that Nagelsmann moves Kimmich back into central midfield for the World Cup, with Waldemar Anton slotting in at right-back instead.

Lahm's argument: Kimmich played the whole Bundesliga season in midfield alongside Pavlovic, they have a brilliant partnership, why break that up for the national team? Fair point in isolation. And yes, the 2014 reference — playing a CB at fullback — is a classic Lahm flex.

But here's the thing: it's completely wrong for this squad, right now.

Nagelsmann hasn't just thrown Kimmich at RB as a temporary experiment. This has been the settled system for well over a year. The whole German defensive shape is built around it. And if you actually look at Kimmich's FotMob ratings at national team level — not club, national team — he's been consistently excellent in that role. The data backs Nagelsmann, not Lahm.

And then there's the Anton problem. With all due respect, Anton is a CB. A very good one. But his pace numbers are what they are — you're not putting him at RB against the kind of wide players Germany could face in the knockouts. Lahm's 2014 comparison is flattering but that was a different era of football. In 2026, a slow RB gets eaten alive.

The other thing Lahm ignores: we actually have the midfield depth to cover without Kimmich. Pavlovic, Nmecha, Stiller, Groß — that's a solid pool. You're not losing quality in the middle by keeping Kimmich at RB. You're gaining stability at a position that would otherwise be a genuine weak spot.

Lahm is a legend and his tactical brain is sharp. But this reads more like nostalgia for seeing Kimmich in his "natural" role than a cold look at what works for this Germany team. Nagelsmann has found something that functions — leave it alone.

 

Germany Squad Market Values — Updated (May 27, 2026)

Transfermarkt ran a market value update overnight and the Germany World Cup squad dropped slightly from €1.006bn to €998m. Here's what changed:

▲ Up

• Aleksandar Pavlović: €75m → €90m (+€15m) — biggest mover, reflecting his exceptional Bundesliga season
• Nathaniel Brown: €35m → €40m (+€5m) — consistent rise for the young Frankfurt fullback
• David Raum: €22m → €25m (+€3m) — solid end to the season at Leipzig

▼ Down

• Jamal Musiala: €120m → €100m (-€20m) — injury-impacted season, still 2nd most valuable in the squad
• Joshua Kimmich: €40m → €35m (-€5m) — age curve catching up
• Jonathan Tah: €30m → €28m (-€2m) — marginal
• Leon Goretzka: €15m → €12m (-€3m) — continued decline
• Oliver Baumann: €3m → €2.5m (-€0.5m) — nominal

No change: Wirtz, Woltemade, Schlotterbeck, Nmecha, Havertz, Beier, Karl, Sané, Undav, Rüdiger, Anton, Thiaw, Stiller, Amiri, Groß, Neuer, Nübel, Leweling

 

Kimmich in CM? Lahm has completely lost his mind.

 

I agree. No need to change anything now few days before the WC though Kimmich is not the ideal right back against fast wingers but I am sure Nagelsmann will make sure he is not left alone defending because he will get exposed like what happened when he faced Vinicious alone in 2024 with Bayern.
I wonder why Nagelsmann doesn't try Brown as rb. He is very fast and skillfull and Raum is top performer and cannot be benched either. I prefer brown to be deputy for Kimmich not Gross as rb.

 

If we have Konrad Laimer who can run all day long, then we'd never have RB issue. I guess Nagelsmann had tried Josua Vagnomann in the past and didn't work. Bisseck is a guy that should have been nominated but since he's not, no point to mention.

Actually there's one name that fans don't really talk about is Jamie Leweling, this guy is a bit underrated, he's can play both wings, either foots always have eyes on goals. I think he could be a contender for RM starter.

 

Agreed with that but thiaw brown and gross could play RB if needed be .

 

I actually think Leweling will initially be part of the 1sr 11 as a RW , over Sane and Karl . But he will also be great as an impact sub on that position .fast when opposition
Legs are tired

 

I don't worry so much about RB cover, we have players who could do a solid job there. The main thing is Nagelsmann doesn't get tempted to put Kimmich back in to the double pivot, we have never looked good with him playing there. At RB he often inverts anyway, which is why I agree with starting someone like Leweling at RW as he can cover back with his pace.

 

I guess we know the starting 11 already par two positions - who will play next to Pavlovic - Nmecha or Goretska , and then right wing . Sane Karl or Leweling .
The rest of the positions are set for now .

but great to know that we have some great subs - again mentioning Sane, Karl and Leweling depending who starts .
Goretska or Amiri
And Undav and Woltemade. . I think these will be our most often used Subs the other players are more backup players .

 

Hey should we start a new Thread for the World Cup ?

 

Don’t think he will - Nagelsmann has taken to may other options along at DM for him to move Kimmich back there

 

Ok Dage will you create the match threads for us per World Cup game ? Or at least a Group stage thread and then per game thread for knock out games .
And if some else can create a General World Cup 2026 Germany Thread ?
Will use the other teams and international thread for all other games as before .

maybe we can add a poll per game thread where we could put our prediction scores in

 

I guess in 3 days we will make sure about the starting 11 because I think Nagelsmann will start his best 11.

 

Yeah just Havertz won’t be there … who Ian sure he will start

 

Also Neuer won't start v Finland either, Baumann will play. Other then that I hope we play most of our starting team, although I expect a lot of subs.

 

Watching Sane play is always painful, but watching him knowing that he is playing because Karl is out is even worse

 

And he just scored. I am not taking back my comment lol. We play with 10 men when he is on the field. He slows the game down, most of his passes and dribbles result in turn overs